Folding table.



Patented Feb. I3, 1900. n. w. LLOYD.

FOLDING TABLE. I Application filed May 5, 1899.)

(No mung M'tnwsew .NITED ATENT trio.

FOLDING TABLE.

sr'norrrcacrroN forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,511, dated February 13, 1900. Application filed May 5, 1899. Serial No. 715,737. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID W. LLOYD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a new and useful Improvement in Folding Tables, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved table erected. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the under side, showing the top extended and the legs and braces collapsed. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line III III of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view in perspective, showing the legs erected at one end. Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the table collapsed and folded together. Fig. 6 is a perspective detail View of one pair of the legs with the attached sliding braces.

My invention relates to folding tables; and it consists in the details of construction and combination of parts described, and notedin the claims.

Referring to the drawings, the table-top is composed of a middle section 2 and end sections 3 3, secured to the middle sections by hinges 4, extending entirely across the table. The pivotal connections of these hinges ex- 1 tend, as will be seen, considerably beyond the face of the top sections, so that when the table is folded together sufficient space will be allowed for the thickness of the intervening legs, braces, sides, 85c.

Secured to the under sides of the top sections are a series of longitudinal metallic guides 5, extending for the full length of the middle section 2 and for a considerable distance on each of the end sections 3 3, forming continuations of the middle guides and in line therewith, interrupted by the hinges at. The supporting-legs 6 are provided with a cross-bar 7 and a cross-brace 8, and to the top cross-bar 7 are secured by hinges 9 the sliding braces 10, which, with the leg structure, form a separate sliding composite bracing and supporting element of the table at each end. These sliding braces 10 are preferably made of thin flat wooden strips and are engaged by the guides 5 of the outer sections when the table is in folding position," as shown in Fig. 2. The hinges are out out, as at 11, permitting passage of the braces 10, so that when pushed forward in the guides these braces will pass into and be engaged by the similar guides on the middle section, abutting under side of the middle table-section'at each side, each of which braces is provided at its end with a screw 15, which is screwed into a threaded socket in the inner side of each leg. These braces are of such a length as to fold down neatly alongside of each other when disconnected at each side, as shown in Fig. 2, and, with the pivoting-lugs and securingscrews, occupy but very little space immediately outside of the brace-slides 5.

When erected as I have described, the table is very stiff and strong and provides an admirable board for cutting, pasting, &c., orany suitable light work. When collapsed, as in Fig. 5, the end section which is attached by the shortest hinge is folded over first and then the other section, forming the shape shown in Fig. 5, when the parts are secured together by convenient hooks, and the entire table may be lifted by the workmen and carried without inconvenience.

It will be understood that the legs may be dispensed with, if desired, and the table used as a top merely with good results.

The advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, as it provides a convenient and portable board or table and dispenses with the necessity of carrying a board of full length, which is cumbersome and inconvenient, especially when necessary to go considerable distances.

What I claim is 1. A collapsible table consisting of a plurality of top sections, downwardly-projecting hinges connecting the sections, alining guides secured to the sections,sliding braces mounted in the guides, and a framework constituting supporting-legs hinged to the sliding braces at each outer end and adapted to be drawn out with the braces and folded down to collapse the table.

2. Acollapsible table consisting of a plurality of top sections, downwardly-projecting hinges connectin g the sections, alining guides secured to the sections,sliding braces mounted in the guides, a framework constituting supporting-legs hinged to the sliding braces at each outer end adapted to be drawn out with the braces, and stiffening-braces adapted to be adjusted to the legs when erected to maintain them in position.

3. In a collapsible table,in combination with a plurality of top sections hinged together, provided with alining guides on their under sides: sliding braces mounted in the guides of the outer sections, adapted to engage the In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

DAVID W. LLOYD. Vitnesses:

PETER J. EDWARDS, O. M. CLARKE. 

